Orange Bowl breakdown

Daily Press

OFFENSE

Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn's spread attack has produced the nation's 25th best passing offense (254 yards per game), while offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring has only been able to lead Tech to the nation's 107th rated total offense (296 yards per game). Cincinnati's running game is weak (94th in the nation with 121.2 yards per game), but Pike and a loaded corps of receivers makes the passing game dangerous. Tech must rely on Evans to keep the chains moving and its offensive line to provide some protection for Taylor.

DEFENSE

Both teams boast top 25 total defenses (Tech is seventh in the nation, while Cincinnati is 25th). Opposing teams haven't started out well against Cincinnati this season, averaging just seven points in the first half of games. Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, who was a candidate for the Clemson head coaching job this season, is the architect of a unit that has given up more than 249 yards just once in the last six games.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Huber leads Cincinnati with 18 punts for 50-plus yards. Gilyard is ninth in the nation in kickoff returns (average of 28 yards per return). Cincinnati has blocked six kicks. Tech has five blocks this season, but none in the last six games. Tech's Dustin Keys (21 of 26 on field goals) needs just two more successful field goals to become the Hokies' single-season leader in made field goals. Tech is tied for the most touchdowns surrendered (three) via punt returns in the nation.

COACHING

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly had Quinn on his staffs at both Grand Valley State, a Division II school, and Central Michigan. Defensive coordinator Joe Tresey was also with Kelly at Central Michigan. Three other assistant coaches came from Central Michigan to Cincinnati with Kelly. Beamer coached Foster as a player at Murray State, and the two have worked together for the last 28 seasons. Assistant coaches Billy Hite, Jim Cavanaugh, Charley Wiles and Stinespring all have been at Tech for at least 13 seasons. Quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain coached with Beamer at Murray State from 1981-84.

INTANGIBLES

In Kelly's two seasons as coach, Cincinnati has gone 6-2 against ranked teams. That's astounding considering the Bearcats had a total of just five wins against ranked teams in 119 seasons prior to Kelly's arrival. It'll be Cincinnati's first appearance in a Bowl Championship Series-caliber bowl game, while Tech will be kicking off its sixth BCS-level game. Tech has lost four consecutive BCS-level games. Tech has the lowest average margin of decision (8.2 points) in the nation. The Hokies are 4-3 in games decided by five points or less this season.